Yes, according to two large reviews. An expert panel found strong evidence for teaching children to blend letter sounds into words, to learn common spelling patterns and to recognize common words. The earlier National Reading Panel reached the same conclusion about systematic phonics.
Eighteen studies of teaching children to decode words, analyze word parts and write words met the review's standards. Thirteen of them found positive effects on reading words, on spelling them, or on both.
Eleven of those studies found positive effects on reading words, and four found positive effects on spelling.
The children in the studies were in kindergarten through third grade. Eight studies looked at children at risk for reading difficulties, and others included children of all ability levels.
The panel says this teaching can begin once a child knows a few consonants and vowels. Its first step is to teach children to blend letter sounds from left to right within a word.
The panel's other steps are: teach common spelling patterns, teach common word parts, have children read decodable words alone and in text, teach common words so they are recognized quickly, and introduce the few words a text needs that cannot yet be sounded out.
The National Reading Panel reported that its analysis showed systematic phonics instruction helps children succeed in learning to read.
We read each of these ourselves on October 9, 2026. Follow the links to read them too.
“Knows the sounds, but cannot put them together into a word”
From Sounds to Words is a full 10-day plan, with a short video that shows you every step. The goal: on day 10 your child reads words they have never seen before. It is the goal, not a promise.
